The city of Birmingham officially opened "Back To The Beginning – The Exhibition" on July 3 at Grand Central, above New Street Station, to commemorate the first anniversary of "Back To The Beginning," the historic final solo performance by Ozzy Osbourne and the farewell appearance of the original BLACK SABBATH lineup. The exhibition showcases photographs captured during the event at Villa Park and celebrates both the band and the musical legacy that established Birmingham as the birthplace of heavy metal.
Stretching nearly 60 meters, the exhibition features photographs taken by acclaimed rock photographers Mark "WEISSGUY" Weiss and Ross Halfin, documenting many of the defining moments from the July 2025 concert. Alongside Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, visitors can also see images of many of the artists who participated in the tribute event.
Among those featured are METALLICA, GUNS N' ROSES, SLAYER, TOOL, PANTERA, GOJIRA, ALICE IN CHAINS, ANTHRAX, LAMB OF GOD, HALESTORM, MASTODON, and RIVAL SONS, as well as the all-star supergroups assembled specifically for the occasion, featuring musicians including Tom Morello, Yungblud, Chad Smith, Jake E. Lee, Steven Tyler, Ronnie Wood, Billy Corgan, Travis Barker, Tobias Forge, and Sammy Hagar, among many others.
One of the exhibition's central attractions is an interactive installation that allows visitors to stand beside a nearly nine-meter-wide digital mural featuring the participating artists, creating the impression of joining the historic lineup in a group photograph.
The exhibition was curated by Central BID Birmingham, the organization responsible for other Black Sabbath-related projects, including the Navigation Street mural and the "Ozzy Osbourne: Working Class Hero" exhibition at the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. The exhibition space has been provided by Hammerson, owner of Bullring and Grand Central, and admission is free.
Sam Watson, chair of Central BID, said the exhibition is intended to celebrate both Ozzy Osbourne and BLACK SABBATH in the city where their story began.
"We're delighted to bring this incredible exhibition to honor Ozzy Osbourne and BLACK SABBATH in their beloved home city with images from two of the world's most renowned rock photographers, Mark 'WEISSGUY' Weiss and Ross Halfin. It celebrates our local heroes alongside some of the biggest names in rock."
Dan Murphy, destination director at Bullring, described the concert as a defining moment for Birmingham and music fans around the world.
"'Back To The Beginning' was a truly historic moment for Birmingham and for music fans across the globe. We're delighted to host this free exhibition at Grand Central, allowing visitors to relive that remarkable event."
The exhibition will remain open as one of Birmingham's major cultural attractions celebrating Ozzy Osbourne's legacy throughout the summer. It also complements the display of the singer's iconic throne from "Back To The Beginning," now exhibited at the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.
